Chapter 132: Change. (2)
"If you have any questions, please ask."
At Sejong's words, the ministers began to raise their questions one by one.
"You mentioned operating horse-drawn carriages using relay stations. I would like a more detailed explanation."
Since 'relay stations' were related to military matters, Jo Mal-saeng was the first to ask.
In response to Jo Mal-saeng's question, Hyang immediately began to explain.
"Currently, when the people of Joseon travel, they must walk endlessly to their destination. This takes a long time and is dangerous. Even though most have been subjugated, there are still bandits remaining, and wild beasts as well."
At Hyang's point, the ministers nodded. Setting aside bandits, the greatest danger when people traveled was wild beasts. Therefore, peddlers never traveled alone.
Seeing that the ministers understood, Hyang continued speaking.
"However, those large horses from the west are large in size and strong, so they can pull large carriages. If these carriages are operated regularly, not only will the people's travel become convenient and safe, but travel time can also be greatly reduced."
"Indeed...."
At Hyang's words, the ministers nodded. Those giant horses they had seen and marveled at seemed capable of easily pulling carriages loaded with people.
"And, if we operate relay carriages centered around relay stations like this, new industries will develop."
"New industries, you say?"
When Jo Mal-saeng asked, Sejong answered in his place.
"Shops selling food and those providing lodging will appear. And those who desire currency will increase as well."
"Exactly!"
At Sejong's answer, Hyang nodded his head greatly.
Following Jo Mal-saeng, Kim Jeom stepped forward.
"You said that when all people of Joseon become adults, the country will distribute identically shaped identification artifacts. Considering the budget and personnel issues, wouldn't it be better to have them make their own?"
"At first glance, yes. But if we have people make their own identification plaques, both the specifications and materials will all be different. Would they be easily recognizable then?"
At Hyang's counter-question, Kim Jeom answered with a sour expression.
"That is true, but...."
"Also, those who have means will make identification plaques with all kinds of precious materials. If something happens and soldiers conduct inspections, when someone presents such an identification plaque, would they be able to strictly perform their duties?"
"Well, that's...."
Kim Jeom, about to say something, closed his mouth. Soldiers strictly performing their duties against those possessing such magnificent identification plaques?
'It would be fortunate if they don't get slapped in the face outright.'
This was the same thought not only for the other ministers but also for Sejong.
When Kim Jeom couldn't answer properly and others showed similar reactions, Hyang continued speaking.
"The country distributing identification plaques of the same specifications to all people is a symbol."
At the word 'symbol' which didn't seem to fit at all, Sejong showed interest.
"A symbol?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. A symbol. It symbolizes that 'although there may be distinctions between yangin and cheonin among the people of Joseon, before the law, they are all equal subjects.'"
"Indeed! What a truly wonderful symbol!"
At Hyang's words, Sejong slapped his knee in admiration. The ministers had the same expression as Sejong.
Watching the expressions of Sejong and the ministers, Hyang smiled faintly.
'Thanks to the general education course from my university days.'
* * *
When Hyang in the 21st century was a freshman in university, the professor who taught 'Law and Democracy,' which he had chosen as a general education course, was a dignified elderly gentleman.
During the lecture, he took out his resident registration card from his wallet and continued the class.
"Everyone, you've probably heard this phrase at least once in TV dramas or movies. 'All people are equal before the law.' It must be upheld, but it's truly hard to see it being observed. However, what most concisely symbolizes this phrase is this resident registration card. Whether it's someone living hand to mouth or the head of S Group, what legally proves their identity is this measly piece of plastic."
* * *
With the identification plaque, Hyang's supplementary explanation ended.
When the explanation finished, Kim Jeom let out a long sigh.
"Huu~. If we do all these things at the same time, I'm worried about both manpower and budget."
At Kim Jeom's words, Hyang asked with a bewildered expression.
"Pardon? What do you mean by that? Doing it simultaneously?"
At Hyang's question, Kim Jeom asked back with a bewildered expression this time.
"Didn't you say linked policies? Since you said linked, doesn't that mean implementing them simultaneously?"
At Kim Jeom's answer, Hyang let out a long sigh.
"Huu~. The command I received from Your Majesty was to find measures regarding slaves, specifically measures regarding the Slave Status Determination Law."
"That is correct."
At Hyang's words, Sejong nodded and answered. After confirming that the ministers also nodded in turn, Hyang continued speaking.
"So, while contemplating measures, I thought that weakening the power of local powerful families would be the best approach to solve the slave problem and benefit Joseon. Therefore...."
Pausing briefly to swallow and moisten his throat, Hyang continued.
"Therefore, as corresponding measures, I thought of linked policies such as fixing interest rates for grain loans, establishing government storehouses, using currency, reforming the tax system, and changing the environment through road improvements. However, I swear I never said that all these policies must be implemented simultaneously. I did say they must be linked, though."
"Ah...."
At Hyang's words, the ministers wore expressions of having been caught. They had only remembered Hyang's past actions—once he started something, he would simultaneously carry out multiple tasks on a large scale—and had assumed this time would be the same.
Seeing the ministers' expressions, Hyang wore an expression of disbelief.
"By any chance, were you Ministers planning to execute all these tasks simultaneously?"
"...."
"Does our Joseon's budget have enough surplus to make that possible?"
"...."
"Or do you, gentlemen, think you can handle all these tasks alone? If I were an official below the ministerial level, the moment these policies are executed simultaneously, I would immediately submit my resignation, collect my saved pension, and return to my hometown or look for other work."
"...."
At Hyang's successive points, the ministers became like mute people who had eaten honey.
The scribes and recorders diligently recorded the facts with one hand while searching through records with the other to verify Hyang's words.
'The Crown Prince's words are not wrong! The Crown Prince never said to do it simultaneously!'
Hyang explained more detail to the ministers.
"Based on the civil service examination opening to the Northwest region and secondary sons starting this year, I thought of these policies. I assumed that when large-scale officials are filled and they become familiar with official duties, large-scale policies with well-coordinated sequences would be executed."
At Hyang's explanation, Yi Jik answered honestly.
"Until now, whenever the Crown Prince took charge of matters, you proposed having multiple things achieved simultaneously, so we thought it would be the same this time."
At Yi Jik's honest confession, Hyang wore an awkward expression and responded.
"The scale of work is a bit... If you wish, shall I revise it so it can be executed simultaneously?"
As soon as Hyang's words ended, the ministers answered in one voice.
"No! The current plan is the best! We will determine the sequence and execute it!"
Following the ministers, Sejong continued.
"My thought is also that we just need to coordinate the sequence well. You ministers should coordinate the sequence well and carry out the policies."
"We receive your command!"
"We will faithfully carry it out!"
At the reaction of Sejong and the ministers, Hyang tilted his head.
'Why are they so in sync today?'
Seeing Hyang's expression full of doubt, Sejong looked at the ministers.
"I wish to speak with the Crown Prince alone for a moment, so everyone please step out for a while."
"Pardon? Yes...."
The ministers, momentarily hesitating at Sejong's command, quietly paid their respects and left Gangnyeongjeon.
"The scribes and recorders should also step out for a while."
"But, Your Majesty...."
"I won't say it twice. Leave."
At Sejong's warning, the scribes and recorders also quietly gathered their writing brushes and papers and stood up.
"Leave the writing implements."
At Sejong's subsequent command, the scribes and recorders left Gangnyeongjeon empty-handed. But as soon as the door closed, they immediately took out writing brushes, ink containers, and paper from their sleeves, crouched down, and pressed their ears to the door.
Seeing this from the courtyard of Geunjeongjeon, the ministers were about to say something but soon closed their mouths. The work of scribes was originally like that.
* * *
Meanwhile, with only the two remaining in Geunjeongjeon, Sejong called Hyang.
"Crown Prince."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"There's more, right? Correct? Recite it immediately."
At Sejong's direct question, Hyang answered immediately.
"There are a few more things. Expansion of education, creation of media institutions, establishment of labor standards laws, and so on...."
"Quite a lot?"
At Sejong's question, Hyang answered with an awkward smile.
"I am thinking that the reforms Your Majesty is carrying out are the foundation, and the policies explained to the ministers and the policies just mentioned are the pillars to be built upon that foundation."
"Hmm...."
Stroking his beard while thinking at Hyang's words, Sejong came down from the raised platform and stood before Hyang.
"You've grown a lot. I thought you'd always be a child."
"I am overwhelmed."
"But, listening to what you just said, I had a thought. By the time all these policies are executed and settled, it would be about time for you to serve as regent or receive the throne, wouldn't it?"
"Surely not? My wish is for Your Majesty to enjoy long life and health."
"Let's say that's the case. I will suffer through all sorts of hardships while executing these policies, but you, who inherits them, will only need to take improvement measures, right? That's right, isn't it? You thought of that too, didn't you?"
"Surely not! How could I, your son, have such unfilial thoughts?"
At Sejong's question, Hyang strongly denied it, but Sejong glared at such Hyang.
"Then why are your eyes looking elsewhere?"
"...Absolutely not."
At Hyang's appearance still looking in another direction, Sejong shouted in anger.
"Hey, you rascal! Get out!"
* * *
While such things were happening inside Geunjeongjeon, in the front courtyard of Geunjeongjeon, the ministers were engaged in a war of words.
"Still, even if we determine the sequence and execute the policies, it won't be an easy task."
At the Minister of Works' point, Kim Jeom nodded.
"That is true. I thought there would be some relief since large-scale personnel are coming in... haah~."
When Kim Jeom sighed, Jo Mal-saeng spoke up.
"The Ministers of Personnel and Taxation will truly suffer greatly. You will have to put in much effort."
"Hmm? Why do you think only we will suffer?"
At Jo Mal-saeng's words, Heo Jo responded with rising anger.
"Well... the task of reorganizing institutions is the Ministry of Personnel's duty, and matters regarding budget and governance are the Ministry of Taxation's work, aren't they?"
At Jo Mal-saeng's answer, Kim Jeom sneered.
"Hmph! Do you think the world's affairs are that simple? Immediately, the task of expanding and repairing roads is the Ministry of Works' duty."
"This...."
At Kim Jeom's point, the Minister of Works wore a sour expression. Glancing at such Minister of Works, Heo Jo continued.
"On top of that, determining the size of roads also has military value, so Minister Jo must also be involved."
As soon as Heo Jo's words ended, Kim Jeom added more.
"On top of that, to operate those relay carriages or whatever, one needs to know about relay stations, and aren't relay stations under the Ministry of War?"
"Damn...."
At Kim Jeom and Heo Jo's words, Jo Mal-saeng unconsciously let out a curse.
Kim Jeom and Heo Jo continued speaking while pointing out other ministers.
"Laws related to slaves are a given, and since various bills including the identification law must be revised or newly created, the Ministry of Justice can't be left out either!"
"Since it involves hyang-an and matters related to the scholar-officials, the Ministry of Rites can't be left out either!"
At Heo Jo and Kim Jeom's words, all the other ministers frowned. Seeing this, Chief State Councillor Yi Jik quietly opened his mouth.
"Then when some coordination is done, tell us...."
Before Yi Jik's words could finish, Heo Jo interrupted.
"You ministers must also be present! The interests of the Six Ministries are all intertwined, so conflicts are bound to arise! The task of mediating and coordinating this is the duty of the ministers, isn't it? How can you think of standing back and playing the idle observer?"
"Ugh...."
At Heo Jo's words, Yi Jik and the other ministers had to let out groans.
Seeing this, Kim Jeom said to Heo Jo.
"By the way, the soft-shelled turtle I sent last time seems to have been quite effective."
"It bites quite firmly! If possible, please send a few more."
"I will gladly send them."
At the conversation between Heo Jo and Kim Jeom, the other ministers and ministers shook their heads.
'That means they absolutely won't die alone!'